Safety booth



2 Shegts-Sheet l J. w. B ERETTA SAFETY BOOTH Feb. 8, 1949.

Filed Aug. 8, 1947 INVEN TOR.

H TTORNE V Feb. 8, 1949. J. w.- BERETTA SAFETY BOOTH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1947 IINVENTOR.

HTTORNEV out at any time exposing the teller or r Patented Feb. 8 I I UNITED 2,4609% FE llfQ fi' miniw. Beretta, san -Antonio 'llex m l tf' ti fi 11: 9. Strut was flafllaimsa (esteem-9il I This invention relates to safety boothso err; closures for tellers, cashiers or clerks or other similar places where money, 'val'u papers or packages are received from an" d livered. directly to persons outside of 1the*b it self while afiording mutual visibilityof vocal communication between: the t persons outside the boothand'for pretee e rs from exposure to outside weather con W and from such activities as would occur 1 th v event of an attempted or actual hold-uni" It; tails f: the c relates more particularly to"drive-in booths and where persons may approach in automo I other vehicles and transact necessary b i with the teller or clerk conven'ie'ntlyj w leaving the vehicle; The use ct this inve'n 11-; may also be applied to'ticket' ofiiceslstor" agencies, public service" and utility" es a merits, tax collection oflices, payroll, oflice similar institutions Where publicc onveni indicated and security or weatherprote necessary. Variations of this invention be applied to armored vehicles usedto'tra n money or other valuables where it" is n e toobtain added safety and securityiqif'suc erations. The principal object of this" is to provide such a booth, throu'gh'th sistant and weather shielding of w of value maybepassedf quickly an 2: is front elevational view from theioutg a; plan view of, the; booth; taken on mg 1:; r an e la ed, vertical cros sectiorrar F 1',

an i lustrating the It' kin'ef th armed threats or violence orto; outsideiweaftlier conditions.

The features of this invention includea pivoted bin, mounted adjacent to'an openinfg'ina or cashiers counter, adapted to be swung through a wall from the counter of the provided with a bullet-resistant side, and bottom metal plates, a removable meta and a movable, bullet-resistant metal cov member, the bin and its cover being. so con-f structed and arranged, and so maniplil tedf and?" controlled, that the teller at his counte physically exposed to outside weather con or to any persons outside of the-bo'otli,v alt ugh: mutual visibility is afforded by means of A, resistant glass windows, means of vocal comm cation is provided by telephonic or similan a and protection from the effects of inclement, M weather outside the boothis providedb'y weatben m g fii-t f wf it stripping. p troughs, hi sk sr im and eateaieii't t6 sieves-s de 'r 'an ilar devices around the bin.- receptacle to accommo ate :bags

Other objects and features will appearff mi ag-3, fi k 'j vyr e the following description taken. ini oonjuiicti 011* red 16 ii with the accompanying-drawings imwhicli fit bottbfii'nital' 1 S t: seeme of ate rar y s' r i i P back: plate: lfl", and bott .t'q eth that the bin 9 is swingable about the axis of the rod IS. A curved bullet-resistant metal plate cover I6 is slidably mounted in the grooved members I2 and 12a so as to be freely movable therein to its respective covering and uncovering positions. This cover I 6 enables the complete closure of opening I as bin 9 moves forwardly or backwardly thus preventing exposure of the teller to outside Weather conditions or to threats or bodily harm from the outside of the booth; In its outward position'it also provides a convenient surface on which the customer may rest documents when writing is necessary. A further use I of this cover 16 is to retain money or other val able papers in the tray l4 until opened by the top and along the two sides of front plate 3 are aiiixed gaskets 2B of rubber or similar elastic material so placed as to securely contact the front of stop bars 24 and 24a, when front plate 3 is in the rearward or closed position. This serves the dual purpose of providing a weather seal when bin 9 is in its rearward or closed position and also providing a cushioned stop as bin 9 reaches its rearward or closed position. To provide'weather protection as bin 9 and cover 56 are moved through various rearward and forward positions, flexible weather stripping 25 of felt,

-- leather, impregnated fabric or similar materials,

teller thus preventing gusts of wind from blow: ing such articles from the bin until delivery is completed and also to minimize the entrance of moisture into the bin 9 during inclement weather while it is in its forward position. Between the rearward extensions l2a is a curved fixed metal plate l2b which covers aperture. 5 when the bin 9 and cover I B are both in their outermost positionsto prevent objects from. falling through aperture 5. When the bin 9 is in its forward or outward positionthe tray I4 is inclined toward the customerwhich provides better visibility and accessibility for the customer. When the bin 9 .is in its rearward or closed position the tray I4 is inclined toward the teller which provides better visibility and accessibility for the teller.

As shown in solid lines in Figs. 3 and 4, the bin 9 is drawn rearward so that the front plate 3' thereof, is flush with the wall I, and the cover It isover the tray [4. The dotted lines of Fig. 3 show the forward or outermost position of the bin}! when it is swung forward from the wall towardthe customer on the outside of the booth. The slidable cover Ni is actuated through a curved rack l1 affixed thereto, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Meshing with the rack I1 is pinion IS, on an axle mounted in suitable bearings aiiixed to plate H so as to move with bin 9. When pinion I8 is rotated by means of flexible shaft 18a and crank lBb, the cover I6 is driven forwardly and backwardly, as desired,.to cover or uncover the bin 9 in its outermost, intermediate, or innermost positions. The bodily movement of the bin .9 itself is readily accomplished through any suitable means, for example, as shown by the treadle l9 which actuates, through the pin and slot connection shown in Fig. 3, the bell-crank 29, the upper end of which pivoted to the bin 9. The bin 9 ispulled from its forward or outward position by the spring ii when the'force exerted by the tellers footis released from treadle IS. The bin 9 is normally held in its rearward position by its own weight which applies the necessary force through its center of gravity, although it may also be locked in its rearward position (see the full lined vand cross-hatched positions in Figs..3 and 6 respectively) when the treadle I9 is moved sideways over the projection 22 of the slotted tr'eadle guide 23., The bin 9 may also be locked in its outer.- most position upon depression of the treadle (see the dotted position inFigs. 3 and 6) and movement sideways under the projection 22 of the slotted treadle guide 23. .The movement of the bin 9 is limited in its outer and inner positions, as shown in Fig. 3, respectively by the stops 24,

24a and 27.

In Figs. 3 and 4, are shown stop bars 24 and 24a; aflixed respectively to framing angles la. and the bottom angle of. the window sill. Across the isafiixed to the inner side of stop bars 24 and 24a. This weather stripping is so placed as to closely contact or rub against side plates I 0 and cover plate l5 as they are moved through various rearward and forward positions, thus 7 providing a weather seal at all times regardless of their position. To prevent moisture from dripping-from the outside of windows 2 into bin 9 as. it opens from its rearward to its forward position, a curved metal drip trough 28 is affixed to the -outside of the bottom of the metal window-frame as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. To prevent moisture, dirt or other foreign matter from entering the space at the bottom of plate 3, a bent metal shield 0r hood 29 is aflixed to the bottom of plate 3 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. To provide a cushioned and positive stop as bin 9 'reachesits outermostposition, stop angles 21 with affixed bumpers of rubber or other elastic material are provided as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to contact frame angles la as bin 9 reaches its outermost position. To reduce the noise and to cushion the operation of plate l6 as it reaches its rearward and forward stopping positions, bumpers of rubber or other elastic material are placed on plates 3 and [2b in such a position as to prevent metallic contact.

When the booth is used as a drive-in" facility where persons, may approach in automobiles or other vehicles and transact business with the teller conveniently without leaving the vehicle it is, necessary to provide a means of preventing contact between the booth and the bin 9 and the vehicle. Such contact might be harmful to the vehicle and the booth or the bin 9 and or the others. Such a means of preventing con- 1 tact is a suitable curb 39 constructed of concrete or similar materials. Such a. curb is constructed in two steps as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which arescientifically proportioned so that in case of extremely careless operation of the vehicle, the pneumatic rubber tires of the vehicle can climb onlythe first step of the curb and cannot obtain enough traction to climb the second step, thus completely preventing contact between the vehicle and the booth or the bin 9. Under actual tests in a successfully operating installation the pneumatic rubber tires of a modern automobile were repeatedly deflected back to the roadway after climbing the first step. of the curb and contact between the vehicle and the booth were prevented. This'curb 3|] is also dimensioned and -proportioned so'as to enable and aid the driver of a vehicle to bring his vehicle sufficiently close tothe bin 9 to make it readily and conveniently accessible from the vehicle window. The sloping position of plate 3 in its outermost or forward position is also designed to clear the bulging fenders and bodies'of modern automobiles when they are driven close to the curb 38.

Vocal communications between the customer gander? outside and theteller inside the booth may be accomplished through the use of bullets-resistant speaking ports or any suitable two-way telephonic apparatus (not shown) either placed in the windew-cor the wall I, or other positions, convenient and practical. v

Mutual visbility between the teller and'theper son outside the booth is provided bymeans of bullet-resistant glass windows 2 asshown in Figs. 1 and 2 with bin 9 mountedunder them; In order to operate the bin 9 and to carry on the nec= essary business transactions the teller must-stand in a position so that his actionsare visibletothe person outside the booth. In order to; place money or other valuable papers into bin .9 the person outside the booth must bein a position of full visibility to the teller inside. the booth. This feature is necessary and desirable in banks or' similar institutions where the counting of money and verification of documents must be done in the presence of and within the vision. of the interested parties. e 7

Though the device has been successfully used with the manual or human operatedand motivated controls and mechanisms as above described, in installations where the expense. is warranted it canbe readily operated electrically by suitable reversible electric motors, reduction gearing, cranks, overload and limit switches, or other devices with push button or other controls, as well understood by those "versed 'i'hjelec'trical art, Such an installation has already been made and haspr'oved to be rapid, eflicient and convene ient in actual banking transactions where ".drivein .service is provided. The device'inay be constructed for motivation andcontrolbyothe'r hydraulic mechanical, or electrical mechanisms, or a combination ofsame as well understood by those versed in such arts. The device can also be constructed as a packaged or self-contained unit with all controls and operating mechanisms shop assembled and properly enclosed and contained so that the bin unit can be removably mounted in a metal frame in a wall with bolts or other removable attachments. When so constructed the device would be easily removable for repair or replacement.

When the booth is not in operation the bin 9 is kept in its rearward or closed position and is locked in such position to prevent tampering from the outside of the booth. When the booth is in operation the bin 9 is kept in the same position until a person outside the booth approaches to utilize its facilities. When the person outside the booth arrives in the proper position the teller operates crank 18b to move cover l6 to its forward or closed position, following Withthe depression of treadle l9 which moves bin 9 to its forward position, after Which crank [8b is turned in the opposite direction of move cover Hi to its rearward or open position. The person outside the both may then place money or other valuable papers in tray l4, after which the teller again operates crank [8b to move cover M to its forward or closed position enclosing the articles in bin 9, following with the release of force on treadle l9 allowing spring 2| to pull bin 9 into its rearward position, after which the teller again turns crank lflb to move cover IE to its rearward or open position exposing the material placed in bin 9 for the tellers necessary action. For delivery of money or valuable papers from the teller to a person outside the booth the procedure may be reversed. The simplicity of controls and operation of this device permits other sequences and variatime. of: operation to: meet special condltions as they arise and: such operationalsvariations may be left torth-e discretion. of ithe' teller. When the person outsidethe booth: indicates that he bags of moneyor bulky packages toplace in bln 9;.the teller removes tray la4'from bin: atoprovide a deeper receptacle before following the other necessary operational procedures, and on: connpletion of theoperation can replace the-tray H inwbin 9 before serving the next customer.

Thus, thebooth ofv this invention is so impers viousto attack and outside weather conditions that it may be used asian extensionofs a bank-2m otherv similar: place where papers of value? are interchanged, up to which automobiles: or other vehicles may be driven; and occupants thereof readily transact their busines'swith a bank teller or clerk. 'It is to be understood that the appended claims shall be'taken tomean and include armored vehicles which are in effect safety booths as well as fi'xed safety booths or enclosures in banksor thelike, j fIclaim: i

.1. In abooth for. tellers-orcashiers haiuinga bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistantwindow framed in said wall and a wall opening through saifd'wall adjacent saidwindow, the combination of a movable bin adapted to be moved to-outer. and inner positions, api'v'otal mounting. for said bin within said wall opening said bin comprising bullet-resistant front, side, and rearward protec tive plates" extending rearwardly from. saidlfront plate, jan'da bullet-resistant cover member slidf ably'mounted on said bin and selectively fmovable to cover'and uncoversaid bin in either o'fits said outer and innerpositions.

2; abooth fortellers or, cashiers havinga bullet-resistant wall, 'a bullet-resistant window framed in said wall'anda wall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a' movable bin, adapted 'tobe move'dto outer: and inner positions, 'a pivotal mounting for said bin within said wall" openingfsaidbifi comprising. bullet resis'ta nt front, side; and" rearwardpro tective plates extending rearwardly from said front plate, and a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movable to cover and uncover said bin in its outer and inner positions.

3. In a booth for tellers or cashiers having a bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistant window framed in said wall and a wall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a movable bin adapted to be moved to outer and inner positions, a pivotal mounting for said bin within said wall opening, said bin comprising bullet-resistant front, side, and rearward protective plates extending rearwardly from said front plate, a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movable to cover and uncover said bin in its outer and inner positions, and weather and moisture sealing around and on said bin.

4. In a booth for tellers or cashiers having a bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistant window framed in said wall and a wall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a movable bin adapted to be moved to outer and inner positions, a pivotal mounting for said bin within said wall opening, said bin comprising bullet-resistant front, side, and rearward protective plates extending rearwardly from said front plate, and a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movableto cover and uncover said bin in either of its outer, intermediate, or inner positions.

5.1m a booth for tellers or cashiers having-a bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistant window framed in said wall and awall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a movable bin adaptedto be moved to outer and inner positions, a pivotal mounting for'said bin within said wall opening, said bin comprising bullet-resistant front, side and rearward protective plates extending rearwardly from said front plate, a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movable to cover and uncover said bin in either of its said outer and inner positions, and a removable tray inside of said bin.

6. In a booth for tellers or cashiers having a bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistant window framed in said wall and a. wall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a movable bin adapted to be moved to outer and inner positions, a pivotal mounting forsaid bin within said wall opening, said bin comprising bullet-resistant front, side and rearward protective plates extending rearwardly from said front plate,parallel grooved members extending along the upper edges of said side plates, and a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movable in said grooved members to cover anduncover said bin in its said outer and inner positions. v

I. In a booth for tellers or cashiers having a bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistant window framed in said wall and a wall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a movable bin adapted to be moved to outer and inner positions, a pivotal mounting for said bin within said wall opening, said bin comprising bullet-resistant front, side and rearward protective plates extending rearwardly from said front plate, parallel grooved members extending along the upper edges of said side plates, a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movable in said grooved mem- 8 bers 1 to cover and uncover said bin in its said outer and inner positions, and rack and pinion members adapted and arranged to move said cover.

8. In a booth for tellers or cashiers having a bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistant Window framed in said wall and a wall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a counter, a movable bin adapted to be moved to outer and inner positions, a pivotal mounting for said bin within said wall opening and with the top of said bin movable adjacent said counter and directly accessible therefrom, said bin comprising a bullet-resistant front plate and rearward protective plates extending rearwardly from said front plate, and a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movable to cover and uncover said bin in either of its outer and inner positions.

9. In a booth for tellers or cashiers having a bullet-resistant wall, a bullet-resistant window framed in said wall and a wall opening through said wall adjacent said window, the combination of a counter, a movable bin adapted to be moved to outer and inner positions. a pivotal mounting for said bin within said wall opening and with the top of said bin movable adjacent said counter and directly accessible therefrom, said bin comprising bullet-resistant front plate and plates extending rearwardly from said front plate, a bullet-resistant cover member slidably mounted on said bin and selectively movable to cover and uncover said bin in either of its outer and inner positions, and weather and moisture sealing between said bin and said wall opening.

JOHN W. BERETTA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

